Electronic access control device

A battery-powered electronic-access control device comprising:

• a memory containing a stored code;
• a circuit comprising a processor configured to receive an input code;
• a communication port for receiving the input code from an electronic key to access the battery-powered electronic-access control device;
• the circuit generating a wake-up signal;
• a processor enters an awake mode for a period of time in response to receiving the wake-up signal from the circuit and the input code from the electronic key, the processor or another circuit configured to generate a driver signal to activate a lock actuator in response to the input code matching the stored code;
• wherein the processor enters a sleep mode after the period of time, the sleep mode causing the processor to operate at a lower power consumption rate than when the processor is in the awake mode;
• a low battery detection circuit for measuring a voltage associated with the battery, and wherein the low battery detection circuit is occasionally disabled, and being initiated for measurement of a voltage associated with the battery by the processor in the awake mode;
• wherein the processor receives a program signal and in response to the program signal, receives a code and stores the code into the memory to form the stored code when the processor is in the awake mode, and enters the sleep mode sometime thereafter.

A battery-powered electronic-access control device consistently mounted about a device to be secured, the battery-powered electronic-access control device comprising:

• a keypad having a plurality of keys configured to receive an input code and a program key for entering a program mode of operation;
• a memory containing a stored code;
• a circuit generating a wake-up signal in response to a key being depressed on the keypad;
• a processor enters an awake mode for a period of time in response to receiving the wake-up signal from the circuit and the input code, the processor configured to generate a driver signal to activate a lock actuator in response to the input code matching the stored code, wherein the processor enters a sleep mode after the period of time, the sleep mode causing the processor to operate at a lower power consumption rate than when the processor is in the awake mode;
• the processor further being operatively connected to the keypad for receiving user inputs entered through pressing the keys of the keypad, and further wherein the processor awakens from the sleep mode and enters a programming mode of operation in response to the program key being actuated, and receives an input code through the keypad and stores the input code in the memory as the stored code for the battery-powered electronic-access control device;
• wherein the processor disables operation of the battery-powered electronic-access control device for a pre-determined period of time if the processor has received a pre-determined number of invalid inputs consecutively entered through the keypad, and being in the sleep mode sometime thereafter;
• and,
• a low battery detection circuit for measuring a voltage associated with the battery, and wherein the low battery detection circuit is occasionally disabled, and being initiated for measurement of a voltage associated with the battery by the processor in the awake mode.

A battery-powered electronic-access control system for accessing an enclosure or a secure area by energizing a lock actuator, the battery-powered electronic-access control system including a first processor operatively connected to a second processor, the battery-powered electronic-access system comprising:

• a first processor circuit comprising the battery and the first processor, the first processor including an activated mode of operation and a deactivated mode of operation, wherein the deactivated mode of operation requiring less power supplied by the battery than the activated mode of operation,
• a memory comprising a serial number, a time and/or date value, and a stored access code,
• a circuit for sensing a wake-up signal to activate the first processor, the circuit capable of obtaining an input code and storing the input code in the memory,
• a communication port configured to communicate a serial number, a time and/or date value, and an input code while the first processor is in activated mode,
• a low battery detection circuit for measuring a voltage associated with the battery, the low battery detection circuit being initiated by the first processor in the activated mode for measurement of a voltage associated with the battery, the low battery detection circuit occasionally being disabled,
• a second processor circuit including the second processor and an actuator driver, the second processor circuit being separated from and electrically connected to the first processor circuit, the second processor circuit powered by the battery of the first processor circuit;
• wherein the first processor is activated in response to sensing the wake-up signal and transmits the input code to the second processor, the second processor having an unlock output signal generated in response to the input code matching the stored access code, and the actuator driver energizing the lock actuator in response to the unlock signal.

A battery-powered electronic-access control system comprising:

• a memory containing at least one stored code;
• a keypad or an electronic key reader for entering an input code to access the battery-powered electronic-access control system;
• a circuit generating an activation signal;
• a first processor configured to receive an input code, the first processor being activate for a first period of time in response to the activation signal, the first processor receiving the input code from the keypad or an electronic key from the electronic key reader;
• a second processor separate from the first processor and being activated for a second period of time, the second processor being configured to generate a driver output signal to activate a lock actuator in response to the input code matching one of the at least one stored code;
• wherein the first processor and the second processor become deactivated after the first period of time and the second period of time, respectively, the deactivated mode causing the first processor and the second processor to operate at a lower power consumption rate than when the first processor and the second processor are activated;
• a communication port operatively connected to the first processor or the second processor, wherein the first processor or the second processor receives a program signal through the communication port, and in response to the program signal
• enters a program mode of operation,
• receives a code through the communication port from a device remote to the battery-powered electronic-access control system,
• stores the code into the memory to form one of the at least one stored code when the first processor or the second processor is in the awake mode, and enters a sleep-mode sometime thereafter;
• and,
• a low-battery detection circuit that is occasionally disabled, the low-battery detection for measuring a voltage associated with the battery and being initiated by the first processor or the second processor in the activated mode.

A battery-powered electronic-access control device comprising:

• a memory containing a serial number and a stored access code;
• a circuit for sensing an electromagnetic signal containing an input code;
• a processor operatively connected to the circuit for sensing, the processor being capable of entering an awake mode and obtaining the input code via the electromagnetic signal, and the processor further being capable of entering a sleep mode after a period of time wherein the processor operates at a lower power consumption rate when in the sleep mode than in the awake mode;
• and,
• a signal to activate a lock actuator being generated by the processor when the input code matches the stored access code;
• an at least one communication port operatively connected to the processor, wherein the processor receives a write signal through the at least one communication port, and in response to the write signal
• enters a program mode of operation,
• receives a code through the at least one communication port from a device remote to the battery-powered electronic-access control system,
• stores the code into the memory to form the stored code when the processor is in the awake mode, and enters a sleep mode sometime thereafter;
• a low battery detection circuit for measuring a voltage associated with the battery, and wherein the low battery detection circuit is occasionally disabled, and being initiated for measurement of a voltage associated with the battery by the processor in the awake mode;
• and,
• wherein the processor is programmed to communicate the serial number through the at least one communication port with a device remote to the battery-powered electronic-access control device when the processor is in the awake mode, and enters the sleep mode sometime thereafter.